A priestly weekend

A ridiculously long silence, I know. Sorry.  I have so many blogs to write I hardly know where to start!

Yes, we are still here, though cyclone Evan is threatening to disrupt Christmas in New Zealand, as I type.  We've just returned from a weekend in Napier, but you'll have to wait to hear about that.
Frankly where else should I start but with the most important event of the year, for me at least - my ordination to the priesthood, already now 2 weeks ago.

My time as a deacon was extended because ordinations out here traditionally take place on the Saturday before the first Sunday in Advent, rather than late June as in my diocese in the UK.  So, this year it is Saturday 1 December, and there are 3 deacons and 2 priests awaiting episcopal attention in Auckland cathedral, a much smaller affair than my deaconing in Chelmsford cathedral in 2011.  Hardly surprising though, considering the population of the whole of New Zealand is only 4.5 million.

The five of us spend 4 days together beforehand up at the diocesan retreat centre at Long Bay:

[Long Bay, 30 mins north of Auckland]

[The view from the chapel]

[Me, obviously, with Aaron, Jordan, Matt and Penny]

Lots of quiet times to think and prepare, and engage in theological reflection a lot.  I catch up with writing my journal. Every morning I jog and swim with 2 of the others before breakfast. Our superb retreat leader gently guides us through the days, with short sessions in the morning and afternoon, each time offering us something he has made or prepared to remind us of the suggested themes.  Meaningful worship girds the days.  I don't want it to end.

I return home to find cards from all sorts of people wishing me well, including one signed by lots of friends from my home churches in Tollesbury and the North Blackwater parishes, and another from St Mellitus friends whose priesting was earlier in the year.  I am overwhelmed by the thoughtful love across the oceans. It really is the thought that counts.  I recall 3 July 2011, and long journeys made by family and friends to share the day; somehow it seems they are with me again.

By Saturday I feel ready, excited, nervous and poised for all that lies ahead.  It is a beautiful day, blue sky and sunshine.  The service is glorious, everything I imagined and more.  Roy and Louisa are there, as are American Julie (who has flown over from California to be here for this), John Stratton and Lucy Smith (long-standing friends of my brother Ian and sis-in-law Wendy), dozens of my new St Philip’s family, several special people from Roy’s museum and friends from my singing group, as well as lots of clergy from the Auckland diocese many of whom I’ve come to know over the past year.

[Auckland cathedral with its beautiful stained glass windows]

[Our presentation to both bishops]

[Bishop Ross, diocesan bishop, in the blue, and assistant Bishop Jim, in the red]

[By the time of the ordination at 10 am Roy has already been to the Museum 

for the re-opening of the refurbished Weird and Wonderful children's gallery at 8.30 am]

After tea and refreshments at the cathedral we retire to Jessa’s flat (conveniently 2 minutes down the road with a great view of the harbour) for bubbles and strawberries :)  

[With American Julie :)  Some of you might recognise my dress...]

There have been so many people who have walked this journey with me over the years, and so many whose constant prayers have seen me through challenging times and who have remained convinced this day would come.  Roy especially has been wonderfully supportive throughout, putting up with the change in routine, the studying, the agonising over sermon preparation and essay writing, offering encouragement, support and affirmation in equal measure, and I couldn’t have done it without him.  For the rest, you know who you are.  THANK YOU!!

In the evening Roy takes us (Louisa, Julie, John, Lucy and me) out to dinner at Mikano’s.  As pint-sized helicopters land next to the harbour outside the restaurant windows, we celebrate life and new beginnings…..

The following morning, Sunday, I get to preside for the first time.  We have just one service at 0930: all the 8 o’clockers are there, too. A rare chance for them to mingle with each other.

It is Advent 1, so as per the suggestion of my friend Mia Smith, I get to wear purple :)  Perhaps I should also change my name to Junia....... 

After the recent vote on women bishops in the UK this all has added poignancy.

[St Philip's finest purple chasuble: fits perfectly!]

This, too, is all I imagined and more.  It feels right.  I feel complete, somehow.  And feel so very lucky to be able to do this.

Afterwards we have ‘a bit of a do’.

[Feels a bit like a wedding]

[Michael, Sarah Park (Diocesan Ministry Educator and my guest preacher, and Nyasha

A surfeit of clergy?]

[St Philip's in party mode]

Quite a weekend.  And unless something even more extraordinary happens, I believe that this is probably my last ordination ;)

Michael makes me some new business cards to celebrate.